Methods 25 patients with spinal intramedullary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were reviewed. Embolic therapy was conducted in 4 patients by introducing the tip of a catheter into the segmental arteries and injecting lyophilized dura or polyvinyl alcohol(PVA).

Objective: To assess the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)characterisitics of spinal intramedullary ependymomas. Methods: MRI was done in 60 patients with spinal intramedullary ependymomas. All were operated on and histological diagnosis together with gross morphological descriptions were available. MR images of the tumors and associated cysts were compared with surgical findings in all subjects studied. Results: 39 tumors were cervical, 11 were thoracic, and 10 were conus medullaris and filum ferminale....

Objective: To assess the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)characterisitics of spinal intramedullary ependymomas. Methods: MRI was done in 60 patients with spinal intramedullary ependymomas. All were operated on and histological diagnosis together with gross morphological descriptions were available. MR images of the tumors and associated cysts were compared with surgical findings in all subjects studied. Results: 39 tumors were cervical, 11 were thoracic, and 10 were conus medullaris and filum ferminale. The lesions measured 1 to 10 vertebral segments in length along the neuraxis, with a mean length of 3.7 segments. All tumors had slightly hyperintense signal on T2WI. All patients received contrast material and tumors were enhanced by contrast material. Rostral and caudal cysts were seen in 54 tumors., all cysts were hypointense relative to signal intensity of spinal cord on T1weighted SE images and hyperintense to the signal intensity of spinal cord on T2weighted SE images. The rostral cysts involving one to five segments and caudal cysts involving two to ten segments in length. Conclusion: Ependymomas occur seldom in the conus medullaris and filum terminale but in the upper cord. Of the cervical and thoracic lesions, most of them were typically cellular and epithelial ependymomas. Papillary ependymomas occur exclusively in the conus medullaris and filum terminale. Rostral and caudal cysts are frequently associated with intramedullary ependymomas. The cervical cysts extended above the level of the pyramidal decussation, elevating the floor of the lowermost part of the fouth ventricle is a pathognomonic sign and serves as a distinguishing feature of spinal cord ependymomas. The pathogenesis of syrinx formation was also analyzed.

Objective To evaluate the diagnosis and the operative procedure of the spinal intramedullary ependymoma. Methods 16 cases of spinal ependymoma confirmed operatively and pathologically were reviewed. 9 male and 7 female with average age of 33.5 years were included in this study. The primary symptoms were mainly numbness, weakness and paresthesia of extremities with the characteristics of progressing from upwards to downwards. 13 cases were MR-scanned, showing intramedullary space occupying...

Objective To evaluate the diagnosis and the operative procedure of the spinal intramedullary ependymoma. Methods 16 cases of spinal ependymoma confirmed operatively and pathologically were reviewed. 9 male and 7 female with average age of 33.5 years were included in this study. The primary symptoms were mainly numbness, weakness and paresthesia of extremities with the characteristics of progressing from upwards to downwards. 13 cases were MR-scanned, showing intramedullary space occupying lesions. Its complete surgical removal was achieved in 11 patients, partial removal in 3, decompression and biopsy in 2. Results Twelve patients were followed up from 8 to 68 months. Symptoms in 7 patients were obviously improved. Spinal function scores were increased by 11 to 20 in 4 cases, less than 10 in 3. Symptoms were stable in 3 cases, worsened again after postoperative relief in 2. Conclusion The specific clinical and radiological findings are the principal evidence for the diagnosis of the intramedullary ependymoma. Since the growth of the tumor is through intramedullary extension, it usually has a clear boundary in the spinal cord. The lesion could be completely removed with experienced surgical technique. When the diagnosis is established, early surgery is recommended. The key point of successful removal is to explore a clear demarkation between the tumor and the spinal cord.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of embolization for spinal intramedullary arteriovenous malformations.Methods 25 patients with spinal intramedullary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were reviewed. Embolic therapy was conducted in 4 patients by introducing the tip of a catheter into the segmental arteries and injecting lyophilized dura or polyvinyl alcohol(PVA). Microcatheter were navigated into the feeding arteries and injected PVA in 9 patients, and NBCA in 7 patients. Embosphere was used...

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of embolization for spinal intramedullary arteriovenous malformations.Methods 25 patients with spinal intramedullary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were reviewed. Embolic therapy was conducted in 4 patients by introducing the tip of a catheter into the segmental arteries and injecting lyophilized dura or polyvinyl alcohol(PVA). Microcatheter were navigated into the feeding arteries and injected PVA in 9 patients, and NBCA in 7 patients. Embosphere was used after embolizing an aneurysm in the feeding artery with NBCA in one pateint. Results Spinal angiography immediately after embolization disclosed that the lesion were obliterated almost entirely in 12 cases and partially in others. The anterior or posterior spinal artery was preserved in all patients recently. The clinical follow-up period after embolization ranged from 6 to 60 months. 16 patients improved but four patients did not show any improvement.Conclusions Embolization appears to be the treatment of first choice in the management of juvenile or partial glomus AVMs which are not amenable to surgery.